Features
Burning issues Don’t politicise education matters
When it comes to hard working individuals in the country, we need to recognise them and give praise to them where praise is due instead of condemning them simply because we do not understand what they stand for regarding the systems they want to introduce to bring improvement in areas where they have been given a task to operate and achieve success.
Not quite long ago we heard of all kinds of attacks from certain individuals against the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Adutwum. These criticisms are not fair to him because certain individuals who cannot manage the educational system in the country attacked him by saying that he was spoiling the educational system in the country and, therefore, should be relieved of his post as Minister of Education.
UNFORTUNATE COMMENTS
Comments such as these are very unfortunate, especially when they come from those who cannot contribute in any way to make the system better. It is important for us to be circumspect in our criticisms of others whenever we have the opportunity to do so.
Criticisms are always welcome and must be offered to anybody who plays a clean role in the public sector for the good of the country. Criticisms are always welcome but they must be constructive rather than destructive. If this is not done, we can create chaos for the country as a whole.
CONSTRUCTIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
Constructive criticism refers to a situation where observers are able to see loopholes in what some other person is doing in the country and pointing out the mistakes in a kind hearted manner. Such an approach is always good for society so we need to encourage people to go by this kind of criticism. Constructive criticism has helped countries to develop rather than destroy them. Places like US, UK and many other countries have benefitted immensely from this kind of criticism.
In the case of Africa, on the other hand, people are more interested in destructive criticism which is meant to destroy people put in charge of matters as away of making them fail in society. If we expect those in authority to fail in what they are doing, then we should not expect progress and achievement in any sectors of the economy.
The Minister of Education is one person who has sacrificed his life to save the country so as to ensure that the educational system is modified to become productive and effective so as to serve the interest of the country. Education always has the purpose to ensure that the needs of the country are identified and explored in a manner that will bring solutions to the people in that country. If solutions are found because of the educational system the end result will benefit all the people in the country and thereby make life better for them.
PURPOSE OF EDUCATION
Many years ago, one leader in Africa Julius Nyerere made a point that “education is like sending somebody from a village to go and find something, a solution, and bring it back to save that village. The person then sets off and goes to look for that solution. After finding what he is looking for the person comes back with what he has found to address the problems and challenges facing the village.”
If the challenges and problems are successfully addressed, then what that person brought has served a good purpose and, for that reason, it would mean that the mission has been accomplished in a manner as anticipated by the village. When this happens, we say that what the person has done is like an established educational system. This educational system is, therefore, good and must be adopted.
For Many years people in this country and in many parts of Africa have pointed out and made it clear that the educational system being operated is not serving the purpose for which it is intended. This is because people come out of our science studies without being able to solve simple practical problems facing the country. If we are unable to use our scientific knowledge to solve our problems, then there is something wrong with the educational system which we are operating.
Again, the unemployment rate is growing higher and higher because we are putting emphasis on grammar or Reading and Writing skills instead of on the development of vocational skills. In addition to vocational skills, technical skills are also important. All these, together with grammar education or reading and writing is needed for the full development of the country.
TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS
The country must develop, but this can only come about if emphasis is put on vocational and technical skills. We seem to have realised this under the current administration led by the current president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The person in the seat of education is Dr. Adutwum who is doing his best to bring improvement into the country’s system of education.
He is one of the hardworking people operating in the United States and was found by the current president during a visit to that country. Seeing the good work he was offering to the US, the current president persuaded him to come home and he agreed to do so to serve his own country. According to this man he spoke to some of his managers in the US who also agreed with him that he could come home to his country and help in the national reconstruction programme going on in Ghana.
This is how this Minister of Education left his good job in the US to come home and help in the reconstruction of the nation. It is, therefore, reasonable and proper that we see the good role he is playing as a great sacrifice for his country. It is a great sacrifice because he could have stayed in the United States if he were that selfish and sought to feed himself and his family alone. However, because of his patriotic spirit he decided to come home.
Since his return he has been performing wonderfully well and the government is happy with the pace of work by him and his Ministry. We, therefore, need to encourage him to stay on but not to discourage him to go away. If we discourage him to go away, he will readily be accepted back by his former employers and it is our country that would lose the privileges and benefits attached to his role as Minister of Education.
COMPETENCE AND HUMILITY
He is a competent and humble person who must be encouraged by all for the accomplishment of the task given him. If you do not understand any steps he has taken or is taking, kindly approach or consult him for a clearer picture. We must not destroy the good materials we have so that the country as a whole will benefit from his progress and intelligence even though we can criticise incompetent people.
The Minister of Education must be commended. He deserves strong commendation for the good works he is doing so the opponents in the country must learn to appreciate him to rebuild this country. The semester system which he approved for implementation in pre-tertiary schools was meant to bring relaxation to teachers, parents and students, but he was misunderstood. This explains why he said that the country should go back to the old system, that is, the term system.
Let us appreciate him for what he is doing for the good of the country, so that at the end of it all we shall all benefit from his good intentions.
Contact email/whatsApp address of author:
Pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)
In every society, there are people who do things their own way, regardless of what others think. Take the man who, by good fortune, acquired a beautiful Benz bus. Rather than becoming a bossy transport owner demanding daily accounts, he chose a different path. He hired a driver—but no driver’s mate. He became the mate himself. The bold inscription on the back of the bus reads: “MAN NO FOOL.”
He’s no fool, having long observed how drivers and mates conspire with daily accounts. He’s far above such tricks.
Domestic Pragmatism
Then there’s the married man enforcing his own version of the division of labor. One morning, he decreed he would handle all daily market shopping because he suspected his wife was “tearing chobo.” Earlier, he had claimed the kitchen ladle as his own, citing dissatisfaction with the portion sizes compared to his “chop-money” contributions.
From that day, he became the chief cook, while his wife became the steward. When the soup was ready, she would call him to allocate the meat. He called it “domestic pragmatism.”
The Dancing Kiosk
Consider a couple who ran a kiosk and, to protect their goods from theft, chose to sleep there each night. Last week, during heavy rains, they were asleep when the downpour started. Both began dreaming they were dancing at a jamboree—an uncanny simultaneous dream.
When they awoke, reality hit: their kiosk was afloat, doing a Michael Jackson-style dance in the floodwaters. They were lucky to survive. Others were not so fortunate.
That Tuesday, 24 residents of Accra lost their lives in the heaviest rains in 59 years. Property was destroyed, animals drowned, and the city experienced its worst traffic jams ever.
Floods and “Neck Insurance”
During the rains, waist-deep waters forced residents to become human transport, carrying others for a fee. I was spared, though I imagined my weight would have made “neck insurance” a must!
The aftermath left offices soaked, radios swimming on carpets, and workers struggling to salvage belongings. My office radio survived after drying, perhaps imbued with some holy-ghost luck—it seemed to walk on water.
A Call for Action
Mr. Nat Nunoo-Amarteifio, AMA boss, later appeared on the air to explain the floods, citing rising sea and lagoon levels. While informative, action is key. Years of warnings by veteran journalist Tom Dorkenoo—a man of prophetic environmental insight—have highlighted Accra’s vulnerability to floods. Two years ago, he outlined the risks, and the warnings proved accurate.
It is not enough for authorities to merely announce intentions to address drainage issues or unauthorized buildings. They must act decisively to prevent recurring disasters. Floods, property losses, and fatalities are preventable with proactive planning and strict enforcement of environmental regulations.
The Lesson
The saga of the dancing kiosk reminds us of human resilience, absurdity, and tragedy. While humor can lighten the story, the underlying message is serious: Accra’s flood challenges require urgent, sustained action.
Let us hope future rainy seasons bring fewer dancing kiosks and more effective city planning.
By Merari Alomele
Spectator
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Starvation is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including food availability, economic stability, and government policies. Understanding the mathematics of starvation involves analyzing calorie requirements, food distribution, and nutritional needs to ensure individuals receive sufficient sustenance for survival and health.
Calculating Nutritional Needs
To understand the scale of starvation, it is crucial to determine the daily caloric requirements of individuals based on age, sex, weight, and activity levels. For example, populations like that of the Gaza Strip require a specific number of calories per person per day to prevent malnutrition and starvation.
Food Distribution and Availability
Equally important is assessing food distribution and availability. This includes calculating the total food needed to meet nutritional requirements and ensuring it reaches those in need. In Gaza, Israel controls food inflow and determines the number of calories Palestinians require. However, the actual amount of food allowed into the territory often falls far below minimum nutritional needs.
Consequences of Inadequate Food Supply
Inadequate food supply leads to severe consequences such as malnutrition, starvation, and death. For instance, between March and June, Israel allowed only 56,000 tonnes of food into Gaza—less than a quarter of the territory’s minimum needs during that period.
Global Perspective
Starvation is not unique to Gaza. Millions worldwide face food insecurity due to conflict, climate change, and economic instability. Understanding the mathematics of starvation enables policymakers and humanitarian organizations to devise strategies that target the root causes of hunger effectively.
Key Factors Contributing to Starvation
- Poverty: Lack of resources limits access to sufficient food.
- Conflict: Wars disrupt food production and distribution networks.
- Climate Change: Extreme weather reduces agricultural yields.
- Economic Instability: Market fluctuations hinder access to food.
Addressing Starvation
Combating starvation requires addressing its underlying causes:
- Food Aid: Provide sufficient, targeted food assistance to those in need.
- Economic Support: Promote economic stability to improve access to food.
- Conflict Resolution: Resolve conflicts to restore production and distribution networks.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Adopt sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term food security.
In conclusion, the mathematics of starvation underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to food insecurity. By understanding nutritional needs, calculating food distribution, and tackling the root causes, societies can work towards a future where hunger is no longer a daily threat.
BY ROBERT EKOW GRIMMOND-THOMPON
Spectator
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